Instagram: MFA Activation Guide

Date: March 12, 2025 Author: SLYFER Cybersecurity Team

Activating MFA on your Instagram Account

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Multi-Factor Authentication is an extra security layer that requires a second verification step in addition to your password. This additional factor—often a one-time code sent to your mobile device or generated by an authentication app—ensures that even if your password is compromised, your account remains protected.

Without any time to waste, let's get started on how to activate MFA on your Instagram account. Just follow the steps below.

  1. From your profile, click the top-right three dashes to access the Settings and Activity menu.
    2. A picture showing the three dashes
  2. At the very top, select Accounts Center.
    3. A picture showing the Accounts Center option
  3. Under Account Settings, select the Password and Security option.
    4. A picture showing selecting the password and security option
  4. Next, select Two-factor Authentication from under the Login & Recovery menu.
    5. The Two-factor authentication option under Login & recovery
  5. Select the corresponding account that you would like to activate 2FA on.
    6. A picture showing and highlighting the accounts available
  6. From the security method options, proceed with the Authentication app option.
    7. A picture showing the Authentication app option
  7. After downloading the authentication app of your choice, copy and paste the keys into the authenticator app. For this example, we will be using the Google Authenticator app.
    8. A picture showing Instagram's guide to downloading an authentication app and the account key
    1. From within the Google Authenticator app, click on the plus sign located on the bottom-right of the screen and then select Enter a setup key.
      2. A screenshot showing the plus sign and the Enter a setup key selection highlighted within Google Authenticator
    2. Next, paste the key that you copied from Instagram into the Your key field and then tap the Add button at the bottom of the screen.
      3. A screenshot highlighting where to paste the account key
    3. Once completed, the app will take you back to main screen where it will show your Instagram verification code. Tap this code to copy it onto your clipboard.

      4. NOTE: The code is time-based, meaning that the code is automatically updated every 30 seconds. You must paste this code into Instagram within this timeframe.

      A screenshot showing the six digit pin to the Instagram account
  8. Once back on Instagram, paste the six digit code into the prompt and then tap Next at the bottom of the screen.
    9. A screenshot showing the six digit pin being pasted into the highlighted area.
  9. The following screen will confirm that Two-Factor Authentication is on and any account logins from an unrecognized device will require a six-digit pin as a verification method. Tap Done at the bottom of the screen to finish.
    10. An Instagram prompt telling the user that Two-Factor authentication is on

    Congratulations! You have successfully activated 2-Step Verification on Instagram and have increased your account's security.